Happy Friday!
Remember what I shared at the beginning of the year about planning a yearly couple’s getaway to dream together? (Crazy, we are already 41 weeks into this year!)
I have a couple of ideas for a couple’s getaway today + some big news from my family that came from a couple’s getaway!
Right now it is the beginning of October, so if you would like to do a getaway to roll into 2025 strong consider starting to look at the calendar for a weekend soon.
A weekend you can get away with your spouse and start dreaming together, thanking God for the year that has passed, starting praying, and planning for the year to come.
It’s a good idea to start reaching out for childcare options, whether it is grandparents, trusted family friends, or even two college gals who could take turns through 2-3 day shifts of hanging with your kids.
It helps us to have a couple of possible weekends in mind and some spots we could go to. Then, once I nail down some childcare, we start looking for a place.
It is hard to put into words how transformational these times have been for my marriage. Sometimes life is so busy with kids that we forget to dream together. Getting away together makes space for that. Our kids will leave us one day, but this marriage is for keeps, so getting away together is important.
This week one of our longtime dreams happened! We opened a small group fitness gym in our basement! I have been painting walls/doors and epoxying floors, and, ah, it is a sweet little dreamy spot that my husband is now training people in.
And the idea came from long talks and prayers we had together on a couple’s weekend over a year ago.
Consider getting away with the one you love and using some of that time to plan and dream this year! Who knows what idea will come from that time!
Here are some ideas that can keep us both intentional this week:
Ideas for Intentionality
–Dreaming Together as a Couple Video: here is a video where I share some tips and tricks for a couple’s getaway plus some resources we have used on our getaways.
–AMAZING Protein Bite Recipe: Have you made these yet? I am making a big batch tomorrow to freeze. They are perfect for lunches, taking to potlucks, and even putting in tins for gifts. The one ingredient that makes a big difference is the Vanilla Protein Powder from Just Ingredients. My friend Carmen said she is particular about Vanilla Protein Powder, and she was shocked at how good this Vanilla is because sometimes Vanilla can just taste fake. Adding some Malden salt can take the protein bites to the next level too!
–Face Wash, but Different: Taking off my makeup has been so nice with this face oil. The smell is just real and the oil perfectly takes off my foundation and all my eye makeup. I use the oil it in the shower at night and just massage it into my face. It goes a long way! Use LANA10 for 10% off your entire order 🙌
–Boots Season: I am placing a boot order this week from Adelisa and Co. Yearly I figure out whose boot size we are missing and buy a couple of pairs of these timeless gender-neutral boots. We all wear them for family photos, as you can see here. Might sound cheesy, but it makes me happy and pulls all the family photo outfits together! Plus, then they have boots for the season. Use LANA10 for 10% off your whole purchase!
–Dumbphone Thoughts: I am filming a video reviewing my Light Phone soon. I have people stop me in public when they see me using this tiny little phone. One person said they felt like they were looking at the future, which cracked me up, because the phone only has calls, texts, and alarms, but this phone is shocking to some people. Do you have any questions I can answer in the video about switching to a smartphone? Send them my way!
–Free Fall Art: I am excited to try this Free Fall Art idea from my friend Alleigh at Hand Gathered Home. She sends out a really helpful weekly email that will help get your wheels turning on how to slowly, but surely create a home you love and, often without spending much at all.
–NEW YouTube Video: This video shares 4 recipes to help you get ready for sick season + love on your gut which helps your immune system stay strong.
Sending love,
Lana
P.S. Some of you have asked if I am close to the flooding here in North Carolina. But really nothing hit here. My heart is broken for all those impacted by the flooding destruction that is two hours away from my house. I respect this YouTuber who has gone in and spoken with people affected by the flooding. I felt like I learned more about the situation from them than I did from the news, and they gave specific ways we could help, since the temperatures are about to dip and many people still don’t have power or heat.
Pregnant P.S. Want to have the opportunity for a better birth experience? Take my free class where I share 5 ways to try and prepare for a better birth experience. Oh course birth is wild and unpredictable, but we aren’t wrong to plan and prepare for the kind of birth we desire.